November 6, 2023

Hello!

The Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless is inviting you to a legislative briefing hosted by Representative Jim O'Day on the Everyone Needs ID Bill this Thursday, November 9th from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m at the State House in the House Members Lounge. This briefing will provide updates on An Act to provide identification to youth and adults experiencing homelessness (Bill H.3388, filed by Representative Jim O'Day, Bill H.3360, filed by Representative Khan, and Bill S.2251, filed by Senator Robyn Kennedy), and will include remarks from speakers with lived experience to discuss the importance and timeliness of the bill.

What: Legislative briefing on the importance of the Mass ID access bill for youth and adults experiencing homelessness

When: Thursday, November 9th, 10:30–11:30 a.m.

Where: State House, House Members Lounge, 3rd floor (near the House Chamber)

What would the Everyone Needs ID/Mass ID access bill do?

The Everyone Needs ID/Mass ID access bill would:

• Establish a fee waiver process for youth and adults experiencing homelessness seeking standard Mass IDs
• Create a process for individuals experiencing homelessness to apply for standard Mass IDs if they cannot meet the existing criteria by allowing ID applicants who are experiencing homelessness to submit residency documentation from providers of homelessness and/or youth services and state agencies under the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS)
• Expand upon the Registry of Motor Vehicles’ efforts to better serve people experiencing homelessness

This bill is very important, as obtaining a state identification card is a critical first step for youth and adults experiencing homelessness to accomplish typical life tasks and access opportunities. ID is required for a broad range of life activities, such as:

• Applying for jobs
• Enrolling in education programs
• Getting a library card
• Picking up a package from the post office
• Opening financial accounts
• Entering certain government buildings
• Accessing services
• Interacting with law enforcement

What is the bill's status?

Senate Bill 2251 was sent to the Senate Committee on Ways and Means and promptly passed the Senate unanimously on July 27, 2023. That version of the Mass ID access bill is now awaiting action in the House Committee on Ways and Means. (The House versions of the bills are still in the Joint Committee on Transportation).

How can you be part of the campaign?

• We still have a few spots left open for speakers on Thursday. If you have lived experience with trying to obtain a Mass ID while experiencing homelessness and you would like to speak at the briefing or have your statement read, RSVP here or email Julia. Do you know someone else who would like to speak? Please contact Julia.

• Please sign and share our one-minute email action to House Speaker Ron Mariano, House Ways and Means Chair Aaron Michlewitz, and your own State Representative. The action can be signed and shared here: https://mahomeless.org/mass-id-access-action-2023/

• If you are part of an organization, please also help us to get your organization to officially support this campaign by becoming an organizational endorser. The endorsement form is available here to complete and share: https://tinyurl.com/massid2324

• Want to do more? Please follow up your email action with a phone call. Ask your State Representative to attend Thursday's briefing and urge House Leadership to bring the Mass ID access bill, Senate Bill 2251, to a vote as soon as possible. State Representatives can be reached via the State House switchboard: 617-722-2000. The full contact information for each Representative is included on the Legislature’s website. Unsure who your Representative is? Find them by entering your address/address where you are staying here.

To read more about the Everyone Needs ID Bill, you can find the fact sheet here.

We hope you will be able to join us on Thursday! Let us know you will be attending by RSVPing here.

Thank you for your partnership and support!

With hope and gratitude,

Kelly and Julia

Kelly Turley

She/her/hers

Associate Director

kelly@mahomeless.org

Julia Garvey

She/her/hers

Community Organizer/Legislative Advocate

julia.garvey@mahomeless.org